Help New Orleans Celebrate a Big Birthday

This is a great year to visit New Orleans, which is marking its tricentennial with a rich menu of concerts, parades, festivals, and other events. Among the highlights:

Mardi Gras (February 13, though parades began in January), which will feature fireworks on the Mississippi River and tricentennial-themed floats, such as “L’Ancienne Nouvelle-Orléans,” which will depict the people, places, and events that shaped the Crescent City.

The New Orleans Jazz Fest (April 27–29, May 3–6), which will close with a spectacular tricentennial fireworks show. The lineup hadn’t been released at press time, but you can expect big names: last year’s show featured acts like Stevie Wonder and Dave Matthews, plus such local legends as Irma Thomas.

A NORD (New Orleans Recreation Development) tribute to world-renowned musician and composer Branford Marsalis (March 6), who will be interviewed by his brother Delfeayo. This is a “homecoming” for athletes and cultural icons who developed their talents on the playgrounds of New Orleans such as Patricia Clarkson, NFL football stars Jacoby Jones and Marshall Faulk, the Neville family, and more.

A concert called “Up from the Streets” (March 10), in which local and internationally known artists will focus on New Orleans as the cradle of jazz and depict the city’s musical history and global influence.

The New Orleans Museum of Art’s Duke of Orléans exhibit (October 25–January 27, 2019), which will showcase art collected by Philippe II, Duke of Orléans and the city’s founder.

For details on these and other tricentennial events, visit 2018nola.com/events.